U.S. patent application number 16/814877 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for grease strainer for cooking apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is CHAUDWAY ENTERPRISES LLC. Invention is credited to Adam Chaudry, Josh Conway, Joseph Lehman, Sean D. Montag.
Application Number | 20200305644 16/814877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004885254 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200305644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chaudry; Adam ; et
al. |
October 1, 2020 |
GREASE STRAINER FOR COOKING APPARATUS
Abstract
A pivoting strainer attachable to a cooking apparatus. The
pivoting strainer provides a unique, safe way to drain grease while
cooking and is operated by the use of a single hand. The pivoting
strainer moveable between a closed position and a raised, draining
position.
Inventors: |
Chaudry; Adam; (Powell,
OH) ; Conway; Josh; (Powell, OH) ; Lehman;
Joseph; (New Albany, OH) ; Montag; Sean D.;
(Westerville, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHAUDWAY ENTERPRISES LLC |
Powell |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004885254 |
Appl. No.: |
16/814877 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14949192 |
Nov 23, 2015 |
10582804 |
|
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16814877 |
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62183001 |
Jun 22, 2015 |
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62208104 |
Aug 21, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/108
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 37/10 20060101
A47J037/10 |
Claims
1. A pivoting strainer configured to operably attach to a container
for straining grease and other liquid components away from solid
food which can be operated by the use of a single hand, the
container having a cooking surface, a peripheral wall upstanding
from the base terminating with an upper curved rim, and a handle
extending outwardly from the peripheral wall, the pivoting strainer
comprising: a pivoting strainer defining perforations pivotally
attachable to the peripheral wall of the pan and moveable about a
pivot axis relative to the peripheral wall and upper curved rim
between i) a draining position wherein the pivoting strainer is
positioned exterior of the peripheral wall and external of the
container holding food and extends above the peripheral wall and
external of the container for holding food and upper curved rim
exposing the perforations to the interior contents of the cooking
pan, thereby enabling the passage of liquid from the interior of
the pan to the exterior of the pan, and ii) a closed position
wherein the pivoting strainer is positioned exterior of the
peripheral wall such that it does not interfere with the cooking
surfaces, the pivoting strainer pivot axis operably positioned away
from the handle by an opening lever; and the opening lever operably
attached to the pivoting strainer which is rotatable about the
pivot axis and extends above the handle, wherein as the lever is
pushed down at an engagement surface above the handle, the pivoting
strainer pivots about the pivot axis moving the pivoting strainer
upward from the closed position to the draining position.
2. The pivoting strainer of claim 1, wherein the drainage
perforations are configured and dimensioned to block the passage of
solid food therethrough.
3. The pivoting strainer of claim 2, wherein the drainage
perforations are a plurality of aligned elongated slits extending
upward within the pivoting strainer.
4. The pivoting strainer of claim 1, wherein the pivoting strainer
further comprises a lower terminating perimeter which is concentric
to the upper curved rim of the cooking pan, wherein while in
draining position the lower terminating perimeter couples with the
upper curved rim by an interference type fit, thereby preventing
the pivoting strainer from moving upward and providing a seal
between the pan and the pivoting strainer during the straining
process.
5. The pivoting strainer of claim 1, wherein the pivoting strainer
further comprises an upper perimeter terminating at a lip which is
concentric to the upper curved rim of the cooking pan, wherein
while in the closed position the lip overlaps the upper curved rim,
thereby preventing the pivoting strainer from moving downward and
providing a seal between the pan and the pivoting strainer.
6. The pivoting strainer of claim 1, wherein the pivoting strainer
is attachably removable from the food container.
6. A pivoting strainer operably attachably removable to a pan for
straining grease and other liquid components away from solid food
which can be operated by the use of a single hand, the pan having a
cooking surface, a peripheral wall upstanding from the base
terminating with an upper curved rim, and a handle extending
outwardly from the peripheral wall, the pivoting strainer
comprising: a pivoting strainer defining perforations pivotally
attachable to the peripheral wall of the pan and moveable about a
pivot axis relative to the peripheral wall and upper curved rim
between i) a draining position wherein the pivoting strainer is
positioned exterior of the peripheral wall and external of a
container for holding food and extends above the peripheral wall
and external of the container for holding food and upper curved rim
exposing the perforations to the interior contents of the pan,
thereby enabling the passage of liquid from the interior of the pan
to the exterior of the pan, and ii) a closed position wherein the
pivoting strainer is positioned exterior of the peripheral wall
such that it does not interfere with the configuration of the
cooking pan and cooking surfaces; the pivoting strainer comprising
a lower terminating perimeter which is concentric to the upper
curved rim of the pan, wherein while in draining position the lower
terminating perimeter couples with the upper curved rim by an
interference type fit, thereby preventing the pivoting strainer
from moving upward and providing a seal between the pan and the
pivoting strainer during the straining process; and an upper
perimeter terminating at a lip which is concentric to the upper
curved rim of the pan, wherein while in the closed position the lip
overlaps the upper curved rim, thereby preventing the pivoting
strainer from moving downward and providing a seal between the pan
and the pivoting strainer, the pivoting strainer pivot axis
positioned away from handle by an opening lever; and the opening
lever operably attached to the pivoting strainer which is rotatable
about the pivot axis and extends above the handle, wherein as the
lever is pushed down at an engagement surface above the handle, the
pivoting strainer pivots about the pivot axis moving the pivoting
strainer upward from the closed position to the draining position.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional and claims the benefit of
copending U.S. patent application entitled "Cooking Apparatus with
Grease Strainer" filed Nov. 23, 2015 having Ser. No.
14/949,192.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates grease strainer attachable to
a cooking pot or pan that does not compromise the cooking surface
and containment of food therein.
[0003] Cooking pans are well known in the culinary utensil art. A
cooking pan may also be known as a frying pan, frypan, or a
skillet. Cooking pans are generally a flat-bottomed pan used for
frying, searing, and browning foods. The typical cooking pan is 8
to 12 inches in diameter with relatively low sides that flare
outwards, a long handle, and no lid. Larger pans may have a small
grab handle opposite the main handle. Traditionally, frying pans
were made of cast iron. Although cast iron is still popular today,
especially for outdoor cooking, most frying pans are now made from
metals such as aluminum or stainless steel.
[0004] Cooking pans typically are relatively satisfactory for their
intended purposes. However, on the other hand, the conventional
cooking pan lacks special features that may increase the efficiency
and ease of use of preparing food in a pan.
[0005] When it comes to attempting to drain a pan of grease or
other liquid while keeping the solid food within, it can be quite
the challenge for even a seasoned professional chef. Grease and
other liquids are generally very hot and must be handled with
extreme care. Not only is it difficult to ascertain the proper
angle at which the pan must be tilted in order to commence the
liquid drainage, but the angle must be slowly increased to maintain
liquid flow. Accordingly, both chefs and amateur cooks tend to use
a supporting culinary utensil, such as a pan cover or a large spoon
or fork, to assist in draining the excess liquid by attempting to
retain the solid food within the pan while allowing the liquid to
drain over out of the pan. This process can prove to be awkward and
if not done properly, hot liquids can spill or splash onto the
handler, causing severe burns.
[0006] For the foregoing reason, there is a need for a grease
strainer adaptable to cooking pans that will provide an efficient
cooking surface as well as provide a safe and reliable manner of
disposing of hot liquids contained therein.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with the invention, a pivoting strainer is
provided which is operably attachable to a plurality of cooking
apparatuses or food containers. The pivoting strainer while
attached to the cooking apparatus, such as a pan, is moveable
between a lowered, closed position and a raised, draining position
which is ideal for preventing burns and other injuries relating to
draining the food contents of the cooking apparatus. This provides
a safe, ergonomic, and efficient cooking apparatus.
[0008] The pivoting strainer is configured to operably attach to a
container for straining grease and other liquid components away
from solid food which can be operated by the use of a single hand.
Generally, the pivoting strainer ideally cooperates with a
container, cooking apparatus, or pan having a cooking surface, a
peripheral wall upstanding from the base terminating with an upper
curved rim, and a handle extending outwardly from the peripheral
wall.
[0009] In a certain version of the application, the pivoting
strainer generally comprises: a pivoting strainer defining
perforations pivotally attachable to the peripheral wall of the pan
and moveable about a pivot axis relative to the peripheral wall and
upper curved rim between i) a draining position wherein the
pivoting strainer is positioned exterior of the peripheral wall and
external of the container holding food and extends above the
peripheral wall and external of the container for holding food and
upper curved rim exposing the perforations to the interior contents
of the cooking pan, thereby enabling the passage of liquid from the
interior of the pan to the exterior of the pan; and ii) a closed
position wherein the pivoting strainer is positioned exterior of
the peripheral wall such that it does not interfere with the
cooking surfaces, the pivoting strainer pivot axis operably
positioned away from the handle by an opening lever. The opening
lever is operably attached to the pivoting strainer which is
rotatable about the pivot axis and extends above the handle,
wherein as the lever is pushed down at an engagement surface above
the handle, the pivoting strainer pivots about the pivot axis
moving the pivoting strainer upward from the closed position to the
draining position.
[0010] In a version of the application, the drainage perforations
are configured and dimensioned to block the passage of solid food
therethrough. Preferably, the drainage perforations are a plurality
of aligned elongated slits extending upward within the pivoting
strainer.
[0011] In other versions of the application, the pivoting strainer
further comprises a lower terminating perimeter which is concentric
to the upper curved rim of the cooking pan, wherein while in
draining position the lower terminating perimeter couples with the
upper curved rim by an interference type fit, thereby preventing
the pivoting strainer from moving upward and providing a seal
between the pan and the pivoting strainer during the straining
process.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the pivoting strainer further
comprises an upper perimeter terminating at a lip which is
concentric to the upper curved rim of the cooking pan, wherein
while in the closed position the lip overlaps the upper curved rim,
thereby preventing the pivoting strainer from moving downward and
providing a seal between the pan and the pivoting strainer.
[0013] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description and accompanying figures where:
[0015] FIG. 1 is front, side perspective view of a first version of
the invention showing the pivoting strainer in the closed
position;
[0016] FIG. 2 is rear, side perspective view of the version shown
in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the version shown in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is handle side elevation view of the version shown in
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top plan of the version shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines A-A of
FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an up-close detailed view of the pivoting strainer
taken at B of FIG. 6;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front, side perspective view of the version
shown in FIG. 1 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a rear, side perspective view of the version shown
in FIG. 1 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the version shown in
FIG. 1 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining position;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a handle side elevation view of the version shown
in FIG. 1 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a rear side elevation view of the version shown
in FIG. 1 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a front side elevation view of the version shown
in FIG. 1 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a top plan of the version shown in FIG. 1 while
pivoting strainer is in the draining position;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along lines A-A of
FIG. 14;
[0030] FIG. 16 is an up-close detailed view of the pivoting
strainer while in the draining position taken at B of FIG. 6;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a front, side perspective view of a version
showing an extended lever while the pivoting strainer is in the
closed position;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a rear, side perspective view of the version
shown in FIG. 17;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the version shown in FIG.
17;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a front, side perspective view of the version
shown in FIG. 17 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a rear, side perspective view of the version
shown in FIG. 17 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a front, side perspective view of a version
showing a third version of the lever while the pivoting strainer is
in the closed position;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the version shown in FIG.
22;
[0038] FIG. 24 is a rear elevation view of the version shown in
FIG. 22;
[0039] FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of the version shown in
FIG. 22;
[0040] FIG. 26 is a rear, side perspective view of the version
shown in FIG. 22 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position;
[0041] FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the version shown in FIG. 22
showing the pivoting strainer in the draining position;
[0042] FIG. 28 is a rear elevation view of the version shown in
FIG. 22 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining position;
[0043] FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of the version shown in
FIG. 22 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining position;
and
[0044] FIG. 30 is a front, side perspective view of the version
shown in FIG. 22 showing the pivoting strainer in the draining
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Referring now to the figures wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred version of the invention only
and not for purposes of limiting the same, the present invention is
a pivoting strainer attachable to a food container, cooking
apparatus or pan which provides a unique, safe way to drain grease
contained within the pan while cooking.
[0046] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary versions of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in the limiting
sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the
general principles of the invention, since the scope of the
invention is best defined by the appended claims.
[0047] Various inventive features are described below that can each
be used independently of one another or in combination with other
features.
[0048] With reference to the figures, particularly FIG. 1 and FIG.
2 thereof, therein illustrated is a pivoting strainer attached to a
pan according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
1 is an illustrative interior perspective view showing the cooking
pan 10 in a closed configuration. The example cooking pan 10
generally comprises a substantially flat and circular base 12
having a cooking surface 14, a peripheral wall 16 upstanding from
said circular base 12, a pan handle 18 extending outwardly from the
peripheral wall 16 and a pivoting strainer 20 moveable between a
closed position and a raised, draining position. The pan or cooking
apparatus can vary in size, dimension and shapes.
[0049] In reference to the cooking pan 10, the circular base 12 and
cooking surface 14 are conventional in nature. Ideally, the cooking
surface 14 is generally flat and configured to cook and transfer
heat to food as customary known in the culinary art. The base 12
may be flat or curved, and the peripheral wall 16 may extend either
vertically (perpendicular to the base) or slightly outward as
well--either linearly or arcuately. The circular base 12 and
peripheral wall 16 are imperforate and cooperate to define an
open--top container for holding the food to be cooked, including
any liquid associated therewith.
[0050] In particular, the cooking pan 10 peripheral wall 16
comprises an interior surface 22 and an exterior surface 24.
Generally speaking, the peripheral wall 16 has a curved cross
section (see FIG. 5-FIG. 7), showing the peripheral wall 16
extending outward and upward from the base 12 terminating with an
upper curved rim 26. Alternatively, it will be known that the
peripheral wall 16 upstanding from the base 12 may have a linear
cross section as opposed to a curved cross section. For example,
the peripheral wall 16 would have a linear cross section extending
at an angle from and radially about the base 12.
[0051] The pivoting strainer 20 generally comprises a curved
structure or surface 36 with is generally concentric with that of
the pan 10 and in particular, the upper curved rim 26. However,
other countered shapes can be contemplated as alternative versions
in order to operably associate with the upper curved rim 26. The
pivoting strainer 20 further comprises an upper perimeter 32
terminating at a lip 44, a lower terminating perimeter 34, and a
plurality of drainage perforations 38 embedded within the curved
surface 36. The pivoting strainer 20 is pivotally attached to the
peripheral wall 16 at opposed first and second hinge contact points
28 and 30 forming an axis of rotation Y (FIG. 5). In particular,
the first and second hinged contact points 28 and 30 allow the
pivoting strainer 20 to move between a closed position (see FIG. 1)
and a raised, draining position (see FIG. 8) about pivot axis Y. As
best illustrated by FIG. 16, while in the draining position, the
pivoting strainer 20 extends above a segment of the peripheral wall
16 and upper curved rim 26 exposing the perforations to the
interior contents of the pan 10, thereby enabling the passage of
liquid from the interior of the pan to the exterior of the pan.
While in the closed position, the pivoting strainer 20 is generally
positioned such that it does not interfere with the conventional
configuration of the cooking pan and cooking surfaces (see FIG. 3
and FIG. 7). The hinged contact points 28, 30 can be constructed
with permanent rivets or removable fasteners as known in the art.
The pivoting strainer 20 can be configured to be attachably
removable at the hinged contact points 28, 30--attachable to fit
various sized pots or pans. Thus, the pivoting strainer 20 can be
removed from a first pan having a first size and attached to a
second pan having a second size.
[0052] In a preferred configuration, the upper perimeter 32
terminating at a lip 44 is generally concentric in shape to the
upper curved rim 26 of the pan, wherein while in the lowered,
closed position the lip 44 overlaps the upper curved rim 26 of the
peripheral wall 16, thereby preventing the pivoting strainer 20
from rotating downward about the first and second hinged contact
points 28, 30 and providing a seal between the peripheral wall 16
and the pivoting strainer 20. In the version, and as best
illustrated by FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the lip 44 concentrically extends
flush with the upper curved rim 26 while in the closed position,
not intruding into the cooking area.
[0053] Similarly, in the preferred version and as shown best in
FIG. 16, the lower terminating perimeter 34 is generally concentric
in shape to the upper curved rim 26 of the cooking pan 10. Thus,
while in the raised, draining position the lower terminating
perimeter 34 couples with the upper curved rim 26 by an
interference type fit or by friction, thereby preventing the
pivoting strainer 20 from moving upward and providing a seal
between the pan 10 and the pivoting strainer 20 during the
straining process.
[0054] The plurality of drainage perforations 38 are embedded
within the curved surface 36 of the pivoting strainer 20 in order
to allow the passage of liquid from the interior of the cooking pan
10 to the exterior of the pan while the pivoting strainer 20 is in
the raised, draining position. The drainage perforations 38 are
configured and dimensioned to substantially block the passage of
solid food therethrough. In the version, the drainage perforations
38 are a plurality of aligned elongated slits extending upward and
vertically within the curvature of the curved surface 36.
[0055] The pan handle 18 is a supportive member that is
sufficiently constructed in order to manipulate and pick up the pan
as customarily known in the art. In the version and as best
illustrated by FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the pan handle 18 having axis
of rotation C (FIG. 5) extends and curves upwardly and outwardly
from the peripheral wall 16 generally parallel to the rotating axis
of the pivoting strainer and parallel to the outwardly facing
plurality of drainage perforations 38 of the pivoting strainer 20.
The position of the handle 18 generally places the drainage
perforations facing radially outward from the rotational axis C of
the user's wrist.
[0056] As best introduced by FIG. 8, the version 10 further
comprises a thumb actuated opening lever 40 or a means for moving
the pivoting strainer 20 relative to the upper curved rim 26 from
the closed position to the draining position. In particular, the
opening lever 40 provides the user with the ability to push down
with their thumb while simultaneously holding the pan handle 18 in
order to move the pivoting strainer 20 into the raised, draining
position during operation. In the version, the opening lever 40 is
attached near the upper perimeter 32 or lip 44 of the pivoting
strainer 20 near and preceding the hinged contact point 30 and the
Y pivot axis of rotation. The opening lever 40 extends outside of
the pan 10 interior and adjacent the peripheral wall 16--extending
over the Y pivot axis and above the pan handle 18 near the position
of the user's thumb. Thereby, as the opening lever 40 is depressed
by the user's thumb while holding the handle 18, the pivoting
strainer pivots about the pivot axis Y moving from the closed
position to the draining position.
[0057] The opening lever 40 includes a generally flat engagement
surface 42 which is suspended overtop of the base 46 of the pan
handle 18. Thus, the configuration and position of the opening
lever 40 provides the user with the ability to apply a downward
force and movement via thumb to the opening lever 40 via the
engagement surface 42 generating a rotational action about pivot
axis Y moving the pivoting strainer 20 upward and into the raised,
draining position during operation.
[0058] As illustrated by FIG. 17-FIG. 21, a second version of the
means for moving the pivoting strainer or lever is illustrated
designated as numeral 40B with all other parts and elements
generally the same as previously described and designated as such.
The lever 40B is configured to generally extend further towards the
end 48 of the pan hand 18 from the pivoting strainer 20 via support
member 50B. This positions the engagement surface 42B in close
proximity to the user's thumb while the pivoting strainer 20 is not
engaged. Moreover, it positions the engagement member 42B at a
similar altitude of where the user's thumb would be positioned on
the upwardly and outwardly extending pan handle 18.
[0059] In yet another version as best illustrated by FIG. 22-FIG.
32, a third version of the means for moving the pivoting strainer
is illustrated and designated as number 40C with all parts and
elements generally the same as previously described and designated
as such. Similar to lever 40B, the alternative 40C extends towards
the end 48 of the pan handle 18 from the pivoting strainer 20 via
support member 50C as well as provides an extension of the
engagement surface 42C thereof proximate the user's thumb.
[0060] The cooking pan 10 can be made in any manner and of any
material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably,
materials will be strong, lightweight, long lasting, economic, and
ergonomic. Construction of the cooking pan 10 can be made of any
known material known in the culinary art such as plastics, cast
iron, aluminum, or stainless steel or a combination thereof
[0061] The invention does not require that all the advantageous
features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every
version of the invention.
[0062] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described in considerable detail, other versions and embodiments of
the invention are certainly possible. Therefore, the present
invention should not be limited to the described embodiments
herein.
[0063] All features disclosed in this specification including any
claims, abstract, and drawings may be replaced by alternative
features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose unless
expressly stated otherwise.
* * * * *